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European Destinations of ExcelleNce
ONLINE BULLETIN ON BULGARIAN EDEN DESTINATIONS, CREATED UNDER THE PROJECT ENTITLED “COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN TO
PROMOTE BULGARIAN EDEN DESTINATIONS – SECOND EDITION”, AS IMPLEMENTED BY THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM UNDER A GRANT FI-NANCIAL AID AGREEMENT WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION NO
699265 OF JAN 18, 2016
(issue 7, September 2016)
NEWS AND EVENTS RELATING TO PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
The Ministry of Tourism rewards participants in the My EDEN Destination in Bulgaria
competition
The Ministry of
Tourism reward-
ed the partici-
pants in the
child painting
competition enti-
tled My EDEN
Destination in
Bulgaria, which
was held as part
of the imple-
mentation of the
project entitled
Communication
Campaign to Promote Bulgarian EDEN Destinations – Second Edition, as funded by the COSME
2014 -2020 program of the European Commission.
The best paintings were ranked using two parallel, separate methods – online voting in Face-
book and evaluation by an expanded jury comprising representatives of the project implementa-
tion team, representatives of EDEN destinations in Bulgaria, and 1 representative of the National
Association for Child- and Youth Tourism.
The authors of the 6 winning paintings in the competition are:
First place:
Jury-ranked – Painting 14 - Alexandra Hristova Atanasova, 13, destination - Belogradchik;
Facebook voting – Painting 15 - Ivayla Georgieva Petrova, 12, destination - Kardjali; Second place:
Jury-ranked – Painting 6 - Kaloyan Ilkov Hadjistoychev, 8, destination - Kyustendil;
Facebook voting – Painting 26 - Stanimi-ra Nikolova Mertekchiiska, 14, destina-tion - Sapareva Banya; Third place:
Jury-ranked – Painting 19 - Vyara
Ivaylova Stoyanova, 7, destination –
Silistra;
Facebook voting – Painting 30 - Alexan-der Yanev Kamenarov, 11, destination – Sandanski. Over 40 paintings of children aged 7 - 14
took part in the competition, the initia-
tive aiming to focus attention on the
“child” perception of the places of inter-
est and attractions located in the territo-
ry of EDEN destinations in Bulgaria
(Silistra, Lukovit, Sandanski, Kyustendil,
Belogradchik, Belitsa, Sapareva Banya,
Kavarna, Vratsa, Strandja, Kazanlak, and Kardjali). The rewarded paintings will be emblazoned on
the advertising souvenirs (cards and magnets) envisaged under the project, which will be dissemi-
nated in the country and abroad.
EVENTS FROM THE EDEN DESTINATIONS
Belogradchik Rocks&Roll RUN 2016
On October 8, 2016 (Saturday) a running will be held – First organized competition in mountain
running among the Belogradchik Rocks. The BOROVITSA winery is the location for the start and fin-
ish.
The event organizers are:
MONTBG – www.montbg.com
ALEXANDERBIKESPRO - www.alexanderbikespro.com
Stani Tsvetanova Sunshine Living - https://www.facebook.com/Sunshinestany/?fref=ts
More information at:
https://fievent.com/e/rocks-roll-run-2016/3652822
PRESENTATION OF EDEN DESTINATIONS
According to tradition, we will be presenting to you one Bulgaria EDEN destination in each bulletin
issues. For this issue we have planned to familiarize you with the Belogradchik EDEN destination
Belogradchik
Myths, legends, and even traces of the ancient Thracians await visitors to Belogradchik – a small
“white” town in North-western Bulgaria picturesquely located at the foot of the Stara Planina moun-
tain. The area of Belogradchik municipality was once inhabited by the tribal community of the Trib-
alli, whose rich history has bequeathed to the region numerous myths and traditions, even nowa-
days important dates from the ancient Thracian calendar are celebrated as festivals.
Natural heritage:
The place is replete with attention-drawing
natural features due to its geology, which is
also the reason for the network of peculiar
rock formations, including the crown jewel
as well – the Magurata cave. It is located
within the land area of the Rabisha village,
25 km. away from Belogradchik and is the
largest cave in Bulgaria. It has galleries and
halls, which can attract even the most expe-
rienced of speleologists.
The Triumphal Hall, the Bat Gallery, the
Speleothems Hall, the Picture Gallery, the
Fallen Pine Hall, the Poplar Hall, the Throne
Hall, the Ceremonial Hall, the Fiord Corridor
– picturesque names inviting visitors to go
underground. This Paleolithic cave is famous
for both its unique rock pictures made with
bat guano and dating back from the epi-
paleolithic times (10 000 BC) to the early
Bronze age, as well as the fossils of wild pre-
historic animals. Being open year-round, the
cave is well lit, with the paths winding
through this underground universe being
well-maintained and fenced with protective
railing. They can be used by pedestrians and
cyclists.
If you sense a fit of claustrophobia, you can find solace observing the stars in the astro-
nomic observatory, which is located among the Belogradchik Rocks. It serves as a romantic
escape from the daily life and enables clear view of the Moon, the Saturn rings, the Jupiter
satellites, the Venus sickle, comets, stars, and galaxies.
For those, who prefer natural sciences to geology and astronomy, Belogradchik also has the
only natural science museum in North-western Bulgaria. Its over 3 000 exhibits introduce
visitors to the most attractive part of the rich biodiversity in this part of Bulgaria. Interesting
lectures familiarize visitors with fascinating and peculiar facts about the living world.
Folklore:
One notable annual event is the three-day folklore festival From Timok to Iskar – in the
Footsteps of the Thracians, which is held during September.
The festival begins with a Thracian procession from the famous Belogradchik fortress, under
the accompaniment of shepherd windpipes and other musical instruments, while participants
go through the town, clad in traditional Thracian costumes. The spectacle becomes mysteri-
ous once participants clad in costumes and masks appear, wearing torches in their hands.
Masks, costumes, and torches are given away freely to those wishing to join.
The Thracian goddess Bendis is honoured with a celebration re-enacting the legend of the
goddess amid the rocks, fires, and torchlight, alongside performances such as Orpheus and
the Petrified Wedding or Tamiris and the Muses.
Battles between rival tribes are re-enacted using improvised weapons, such as spears,
swords, bows, shields, and clubs.
The festival involves other sports
competitions as well – javelin and
disk throwing, archery, horse rac-
ing, and fire jumping. The winners
are enwreathed by a young wom-
an posing as the goddess Bendis.
In the Panairishte locality space is
dedicated to pottery as well,
where craftsmen display their
skills and the secrets of this craft.
Art and culture:
The Belogradchik fortress is built
among inapproachable rocks be-
fore the Bulgarian nation was
formed as was used as a military
facility until the Serbian-Bulgarian
War of 1885. Visitors nowadays
can easily comprehend why the
location was selected as for fortifi-
cation purposes if they climb to
the fortress’ highest point – the
first slab. Bulgaria spreads out be-
fore their very eyes – from the
Stara Planina ridges to the south
to the copper Carpathians in the
west. Right beneath them lie the
rock formations, which appear
even more spectacular from that
perspective.
The Panovata Kashta historical
museum was built circa 1810 and is a typical example of West Balkan architecture, having
been transformed into a museum after being restored in 1970. The exposition, which com-
prises 8 000 exhibits, reflects the lifestyle, occupations, and battles of the then populace.
Historical architecture and a reflection of the populace lifestyle from times past can also be
found in the Anishte locality – remnants of a destroyed ancient village, collected artefacts,
which include 3rd century pottery vessel fragments, jewellery, and coins.
The Hadji Hussain mosque is also a place of interest worth visiting, as it boasts the best of
Bulgarian wood-carving and is the only mosque country-wide to feature a ceiling with Bulgari-
an wood-carving.
Winemaking:
The region is famous for its wine, for the locals degustation forms a key part of their tradi-
tions. Thracians believed that wine can elevate people from earth to the heavens, while locals
and tourists alike are willing to try this theory in real life.
Peculiar fact:
One of the most interesting formations found in the Magurata cave is the so-called “cave
milk“.
Main contact information for the destination:
Tourism information centre
3900 Belogradchik, 1A, Poruchik Dvoryanov St.
tel. + 359 881283
е-mail: [email protected]
www.belogradchik-eu.net
Destination-popular events:
June - From Timok to Iskar – in the Footsteps of
the Thracians traditional folklore festival
It dates back to 1968. The first festival day is always
dedicated to a Thracian theme and must include re-
enactment of legends from the Thracian mythology and
a torch procession of young people along the town
streets. The following festival days feature folklore
song & dance groups from Belogradchik and the re-
gion.
Belogradchik Day
Celebrated annually on St. Peter’s day, in the frame-
work of a traditional fair lasting several days. It is as
though this Christian holiday was meant to be the
Belogradchik Day. Our ancestors associated St. Peter’s
day with the Belogradchik because translated from
Greek (Πέτρος) Peter means Stone.
The largest uprising in North-Western Bulgaria in
1850
It is celebrated annually, at the end of May. The 1850
Uprising is the most powerful display of Bulgarian re-
sistance to foreign oppression during the 19th century’s
1st half. Reverence to this event was notable in the
very first post-Liberation days and gradually became a
tradition.
International border regions fair in the Cadi Boaz
locality
It is held annually, during the 3rd week of July. On the
border between Republic of Bulgaria and Republic of
Serbia, in the area of the Salash and Novo Korito vil-
lages, Bulgarians and Serbs pass through the border
freely, exempted from the normal admission regime.
The fair lasts for three days – Friday through Sunday –
and aims at commercial and cultural exchange.
Recommended site-seeing:
Belogradchik Rocks
One of the natural wonders of the world! The unique nat-
ural phenomenon, the Belogradchik Rocks, is a rock com-
plex some 30 km. long and 6-7 km wide. With its rock
formations diverse in form and size, the Belogradchik
Rocks rise to a height of over 100 m and were shaped by
nature in the course of over 200 mil. years. Their reddish
shade is due to the presence of iron oxide.
http://bulgariatravel.org/bg/object/1/Belogradchishki_skali
Belogradchik fortress
The Belogradchik fortress is among the best preserved
fortresses in our country. The earliest information about
it dates back to the 1st century BC when it formed part of
a large system of fortifications. The fortress was carved
into the Belogradchik Rocks, with the natural stone blocs
used instead of walls on two of its four sides. It contin-
ued to play an important part in the region following es-
tablishment of the Bulgarian state and in the 14th centu-
ry it served as a summer residence of the Bulgarian king
Ivan Sratsimir. The fortress was used as a military fortification all the way to 1885.
http://bulgariatravel.org/bg/object/51/Belogradchishkakrepost
Magurata (Rabisha cave)
Located just 20 km. away from Belogradchik is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in
Bulgaria - the Magurata cave. According to geologists, formation of the cave began some 15 mil.
years ago. Prehistoric paintings have been discovered in one of the halls, carved into the rocks
and painted with bat guano (manure). Paintings date back to various eras – epipaleolith, neolith,
eneolith, early Bronze Age, and depict dancing female silhouettes, dancing and hunting men,
masked people, animals, stars, tools, and plants. The solar annual calendar from the late neo-
lith, which was discovered there, is the oldest solar calendar discovered thus far in Europe. It
was painted on the walls of the shrine hall and marks at least 5 holidays, as well as 366 days.
http://bulgariatravel.org/bg/object/32/Magurata_peshtera
Rabisha lake
Rabisha lake is the oldest tectonic lake in Bulgaria, with an area of 3 250 decares. Its depth
reaches 10-15 m., some researchers even assert 45 m. Age-wise, it is a „peer” of the Loch Ness
in Northern Scotland (3,5 – 4 000 000 yrs.) and similarly, as old legends claim, a quaternary
monster inhabits the lake. Rabisha lake offers excellent opportunities for surfing, swimming, and
fishing.
Locals believed that the lake’s waters were inhabited by
mermaids, wyverns, devils, and a mythical monster.
Legends more than 2 centuries old say that in order to
save her people from the misfortunes that befell them,
the most beautiful young girl sacrificed herself to the
lake monster. Even nowadays, at full Moon, one may
allegedly see the beauty float above the lake as a fabu-
lous apparition heading to the point of her demise, only
to disappear into the depths.
Natural Sciences museum
The Natural Sciences museum is the only one of its kind in North-western Bulgaria. Its total
stock comprises 3000 exhibits. The exposition features many endemic and relict species for the
Balkans and Europe.
Contact: tel. 0877 85 22 57
http://www.muzeibelogradchik.com/otdel_priroda_bg.html
Anishte locality
12 km. away from Belogradchik, near Granichak village, is where the late Antiquity settlement
Anishte is located. Initially, attention was focused on revealing the nature and functions of the
emerging apsidal room located in the location’s southwestern part. A hypocaust was discovered
at 1,65 m. depth from the upper humus layer.
Historical museum
The historical museum entitled Panovata Kashta has a stock of over 8000 exhibits from the pre-
historic, ancient, and medieval eras. One can observe there exhibits discovered in the Kozarnika
cave, such as bones of a prehistoric bear, hyena, wild horse, etc.
3900 Belogradchik, 1, Kapitan Krastyu St.
e-mail: [email protected], tel.: 0936 /5 34 – 69
http://www.muzeibelogradchik.com/kontakti_bg.html
Art Gallery
The gallery features over 255 canvases – graphics and oil paintings, some of which were painted
during the plain-air painting events annually held in Belogradchik and its vicinity.
tel.: 0936/936 53042
http://www.muzeibelogradchik.com/hud_galeria_bg.html
This material was created within the framework of the project entitled Communication Campaign to
Promote Bulgarian EDEN Destinations – Second Edition, under a Grant Financial Aid Agreement No
699265 of Jan 18, 2016, as implemented with the financial support of the EU’s COSME (2014-2020)
program. The contents of this material presents the views of the Ministry of Tourism only and is the
latter’s full responsibility; this document should not be deemed to represent the official opinion of the
European Commission and/or the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency, or any
other EU body. The European Commission and the Agency bear no responsibility for the benefit, which
will be created out of the information contained in the document.
Kozarnika cave
The cave is located 5 km. away from Belogradchik. It is unique with the recently discovered 1
600 000 year-old footsteps, which presumably belong to the first man of the Homo erectus type
on the European continent.
Astronomical observatory
The observatory of the BAS Astronomy Institute has three telescopes, one of which is the third
longest in Bulgaria, a computer to process and store data from electro-photometric observations
and CCD camera recordings.
Opening hours: upon request
Contacts: tel.: 0936/ 53372
This material was created within the framework of the project entitled Communication Campaign to
Promote Bulgarian EDEN Destinations – Second Edition, under a Grant Financial Aid Agreement No
699265 of Jan 18, 2016, as implemented with the financial support of the EU’s COSME (2014-2020)
program. The contents of this material presents the views of the Ministry of Tourism only and is the
latter’s full responsibility; this document should not be deemed to represent the official opinion of the
European Commission and/or the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency, or any
other EU body. The European Commission and the Agency bear no responsibility for the benefit, which
will be created out of the information contained in the document.